Dr. Robert V. Antonucci

Dr. Robert V. Antonucci, a lifelong educator widely recognized for his expertise in all facets of public education, is president emeritus of Fitchburg State University.

During his 12 years at Fitchburg State—2003 to 2015—the Fitchburg State graduate and former state commissioner of education enhanced his reputation for leadership and innovation. In addition to fulfilling his duties on campus, he was a tireless community advocate and spokesperson for public schools and colleges, serving on local, regional and national boards, meeting with officials at all levels of government, and working to revitalize North Central Massachusetts.

His record of success at Fitchburg State includes the drafting of a new strategic plan, completion of a record-setting capital campaign, and oversight of an unprecedented number of major capital projects, including construction of a new science complex (which was recently named in his honor); renovation of the campus center, library and dining commons; conversion of the university's outdoor athletic facilities into a professional-level stadium, establishment of a Faculty Teaching Center, and the acquisition of several neighborhood buildings that were refashioned for use as university offices, residence halls or green space. He also embarked on an ambitious series of technology initiatives, including establishment of a “wireless” campus, a total upgrade of computer laboratories, and the creation of dozens of new classrooms that allow faculty access to the most advanced teaching tools.

Antonucci significantly increased the university’s visibility in Boston as well as the local region, meeting frequently with elected officials, and members of the Department of Higher Education and other state agencies. Governor Deval Patrick appointed him to co-chair the Higher Education Task Force and to serve as a member of the Pre-K through 12 Task Force. Subsequently he was appointed by the governor to chair the University of Massachusetts and Public Higher Education subcommittee of the Readiness Project Leadership Council, and to serve as a member of the Workforce Standards and Performance Accountability Task Force.

As Massachusetts Commissioner of Education in the 1990s, Antonucci played a key role in the passage and enactment of the state's historic Education Reform Act of 1993, a landmark law now seen as a national model.

He has also held the positions of president and chief executive officer with Harcourt Learning Direct and Harcourt Higher Education, and chief executive officer of Harcourt eLearning and the California College for Health Sciences. Under his leadership Harcourt was the first online college in Massachusetts granted authority to award bachelor and associate degrees. 

For 12 years, Antonucci served as Superintendent of Schools in Falmouth, MA, serving as the chief executive officer of the town's K-12 system. From 1974 to 1980, he served as Assistant Superintendent of the Leominster (MA) Public Schools. He began his career in education in 1967 as a teacher and administrator in Lunenburg. 

Former chairman of the board of directors of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, he is a director at Eastern Bank, Unitil, and Reliant Medical Group. He has also held leadership positions at North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, Our Father's House, Cape Cod Healthcare and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. He is an elected town meeting member in Falmouth.

Antonucci also chaired the New England Association of Schools and Colleges strategic planning initiative and the State University System of Massachusetts’ Council of Presidents. He was a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Committee on Policy and Purposes, and a member of that organization’s Committee on Economic and Workforce Development.  A former member the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, he represented the presidents of the Massachusetts state universities on the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Antonucci holds two degrees from Fitchburg State, and was presented with an honorary doctoral degree as well as the university’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Upon his retirement, he was named president emeritus. He holds a doctorate in education from Boston University, where he served as an adjunct faculty member from 1994 to 1998, teaching graduate courses on state and local politics and education. He also holds honorary degrees from Endicott College and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

His wife, Jeanne, also holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Fitchburg State. The Antonuccis have a son, a daughter, both career educators in MA, and five grandchildren.